Saturday 2nd August saw both Dinas PG1 and PG2 teams resume acquaintance with Ystradfechan, having narrowly won both fixtures the previous weekend by seven and two shots respectively.
The PG1's were at home and in another keenly fought encounter eventually just edged home by four shots to secure a precious 10 points.
The opening third of the match was very close and after seven ends there was little to choose between three of the rinks, with the scores standing at 5-4, 4-6 and 6-6 respectively. At this stage Dinas were grateful to Captain Ritchie Janes' rink, who had started well and moved into a ten shot 14-4 lead.
The middle third of the game was closer still with both sides registering 27 shots as Dinas maintained their nine shot advantage. Again at this juncture there was very little between three of the rinks.
Over the closing seven ends Ystradfechan staged something of a comeback. Captain Janes' rink lost some momentum with their 13 shot lead being cut, before recording a very creditable six shot win. Chris Blake's quartet were in a ding done battle throughout, before succumbing to a narrow one shot defeat on the last end, with Alex Meddin's rink falling to seven shot reverse.
As with the previous Saturday it was left to Mike Ackland's rink, inevitably the last to finish, to maintain their composure and round matters off. Going into their last end the match was poised on a knife edge, with Dinas two in front, To the delight of the home side they were able to secure a further two shots to confirm a hard fought 78-74 victory.
D.Parker, J.Ackland, H.Meddins, M.Ackland (21-15) J.Coles, P.Critcher, P.Marks, R.Janes (24-18) D.Vowles, C.Scott, G.Griffiths, C.Blake (17-18) D.James, T.Hurcom, C.Todd, A.Meddins (16-23)
Meanwhile up at Ystradfechan, the PG2 team, having won by two shots the previous weekend, somehow managed to contrive an even narrower, astonishing one and a quarter shot win. Despite Chris Bates' rink suffering a 14 shot reverse, and Neil Giles rink going down by one, good wins for Alun Jones and Andre Desrosiers rinks, coupled with the home suffering a shots deduction for fielding two three handed rinks, meant that after the calculators had been exhausted the final reckoning was a Dinas victory by 75 shots to 73.75 and a fantastic 10 point haul.
With Dinas fielding four new players, and more experienced bowlers playing 'out of position' the victory spoke volumes for the character of the side and made the long journey home feel all the sweeter. Well done boys.
P.Hanley, J.Follon, G.White, A.Jones (23-17) * G.Leach, G.Duggan, M.Diment, N.Giles (21-22) R.Diment, T.Nurse, D.Ireland, A.Desrosier (18-16) ** H.Lamont, P.Hufton, M.Seaford, C.Bates (13-27)
* Adjusted down to 23-12.75 ** Adjusted down to 18-12